Vail CO to SantaFe NM via I24>I285>I17
Motor Carrier Atlas and Mountain Directory indicate the route is acceptable for RVing with minor elevation changes (6-7% for 2-3 mi) and slowest speed of 30 mph. Any other concerns? Any suggested attr...
Forum Discussion
You'll go by Camp Hale before you get to the top of Tennessee Pass and Leadville. This is where they trained soldiers in winter combat during WWII. Many of the ski resorts in CO were developed by veterans of Camp Hale.
Some boondocking up Half Moon Creek between Mt. Elbert and Mt. Massive (near Leadville), although I don't know how big your rig is. The road is rather rocky and washboardy before you enter the canyon, but smoother after that. Also boondocking the first couple of miles above Cottonwood Lake CG above Buena Vista. Don't go more than three miles or you'll have a challenge in turning around. More boondocking above Poncha Springs on the Silver Lakes road, which turns off of US 285 six miles south of Poncha. Private property the first couple of miles, but several good sized places over the next few miles.
If your TV isn't too big, Independence Pass is a great drive over to Aspen. If you have a dually, drive to the top of the Pass and return. There are some very narrow places on the west side of the pass.
Head up to the ghost town of St. Elmo and continue along the old RR grade to the site of Hancock. Great aspen up there and St. Elmo is worth the drive.
Take a day trip over Cottonwood Pass to Taylor Park. Explore up there and either return the same way or make a long loop down through Gunnison and back over Monarch Pass. The west portal of the Alpine Tunnel is an interesting and scenic drive.
If you get a day of inclement weather, check out the mining museum in Leadville. The hills to the east of Leadville are full of old mining ruins.
Spend an afternoon each exploring Leadville and Salida. Leadville for the old mining camp feel and Salida for the art and restaurant scene (without being over priced).
In the San Luis Velley (which isn't a caldera BTW) head a little east and check out the Great Sand Dunes NP. Further south, ride the Cumbres and Toltec Narrow Gauge Railroad. An old steam railroad taking you through some scenic parts of NM and CO.
Some boondocking up Half Moon Creek between Mt. Elbert and Mt. Massive (near Leadville), although I don't know how big your rig is. The road is rather rocky and washboardy before you enter the canyon, but smoother after that. Also boondocking the first couple of miles above Cottonwood Lake CG above Buena Vista. Don't go more than three miles or you'll have a challenge in turning around. More boondocking above Poncha Springs on the Silver Lakes road, which turns off of US 285 six miles south of Poncha. Private property the first couple of miles, but several good sized places over the next few miles.
If your TV isn't too big, Independence Pass is a great drive over to Aspen. If you have a dually, drive to the top of the Pass and return. There are some very narrow places on the west side of the pass.
Head up to the ghost town of St. Elmo and continue along the old RR grade to the site of Hancock. Great aspen up there and St. Elmo is worth the drive.
Take a day trip over Cottonwood Pass to Taylor Park. Explore up there and either return the same way or make a long loop down through Gunnison and back over Monarch Pass. The west portal of the Alpine Tunnel is an interesting and scenic drive.
If you get a day of inclement weather, check out the mining museum in Leadville. The hills to the east of Leadville are full of old mining ruins.
Spend an afternoon each exploring Leadville and Salida. Leadville for the old mining camp feel and Salida for the art and restaurant scene (without being over priced).
In the San Luis Velley (which isn't a caldera BTW) head a little east and check out the Great Sand Dunes NP. Further south, ride the Cumbres and Toltec Narrow Gauge Railroad. An old steam railroad taking you through some scenic parts of NM and CO.
